By Mrinal Gokhale
“Bill Clinton visits the International Electrical Union Workers building in West Allis, Wisc to encourage early voting for Hillary Clinton”. (photo by Mrinal Gokhale)
“Clinton’s a rapist!” shouted a few angry individuals on the afternoon of Oct. 8 at the International Electrical Workers Union office on 103rd and Oklahoma Ave.
The protestors interrupted with these words immediately after Clinton said, “No one can dispute the fact that,” while he was discussing climate change. The former president simply chuckled and said, “Give them a hand; tell them ‘bye we wish you well,’” and the audience waved goodbye as the protestors were escorted out.
Clinton was visiting Milwaukee to encourage Wisconsin voters to vote early for presidential candidate and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
He encouraged listeners to visit iwillvote.com to check their registration status and learn where they can vote. After climate change, he addressed job creation, saying that his wife plans to reduce small business debt if she became president.
“The U.S. is the only country with 79 straight months of job growth and Democrats have created more jobs than Republicans,” he said, attributing this job growth to President Obama.
“The interest rate has been lower than inflation for the longest period in time, and we’ll never forgive ourselves if we pass up 10 million jobs that can be created.”
He later commended Clinton and her former opponent Senator Bernie Sanders for wanting to reduce college student debt.
He cited a personal story of his experience buying jeans from a longtime friend whose son just graduated college.
“I asked her what her son’s student loan debt repayment interest rate is. She said nine percent,” Clinton said.
“Hillary wants to let college students repay student loans similar to home mortgage in that they will not be charged more than 10 percent of their income.” Immigration was another topic addressed. Clinton noted that his wife voted for former President Ronald Reagan’s immigration reform plan and values diversity in the United States.
He then also mentioned incarceration, saying that Hillary plans to reduce the incarceration rate.
“There will be no more private prisons and Hillary will let out non-violent offenders quicker and make it so that they’re not discriminated against when applying for jobs,” he said.
It is known that Hillary is competing against Republican candidate Donald Trump. The last two debates between the two have been heated.
Hillary’s husband made an indirect mention of her opponent.
He made an indirect mention of Donald Trump as well.
“When someone says ‘I’ll make America great again,’ I am a southerner so I know what that means,” he laughed.
“50 years ago was a bad time for many Americans, and it’s saying ‘I will move someone down the totem pole and myself up.”
He added that Hillary plans to “tear down the totem pole to move forward together.”
“She is the best change agent I have known. If you think we need to be citizens that work together instead of being in a constant upheaval, she is your choice.”